The Kendells
Mrs Kendells Homestead, recently revived sets a new standard of rural NSW outback accommodation.
Constructed by Roy & Dorothy around 1947, the homestead originally comprised of a cosy two rooms with the kitchen & dining to the rear. Verandahs shaded the three sides & all washing facilities were situated in the bungalow as we know it today.
The home was occupied by Mr & Mrs Kendell, their children & grandchildren.
Roy was a drover in the days when wool was a pound £ a pound. His tools, horses, sulky & dogs moved sheep all across the region.
Dorothy was a very keen gardener & a green thumb. She established a lush garden with every fruit tree available, almonds, peaches, oranges, mandarins, lemons, figs, grapes & mulberry's just to name a few.
Her garden was edged with cottage flowers, her favourites being zinnia, sweet peas & stocks, thrived in the hot day climate. Perfume from the lavender drifted through the garden in the summer evenings. Jacaranda, cedar & pepper trees surrounded the property and provided shade.
At the back of the property, Roy built stables with tac rooms & small forge room where repairs would be carried out. In later years their first motor car, a 1958 FB Holden ute in pale dust blue was kept there.
Roy passes in 1960 & Dorothy 12 years later. They rest together at the Ivanhoe cemetary. The house changed owners several times & fell into disrepair & became uninhabitable.
Reacquired by Dorothy's grandchildren it sat for many years until July 2020 when the restoration began & completed in December 2020.
Mrs Kendells granchildren are pleased with the transformation of the renovations & they hope you enjoy the rewards of their labour to restore & maintain Mrs Kendells home & story!
Welcome to Margaret's Cottage
Restored by her Children during 2022, and 2023 from a derelict ,
vandalised small cottage frame , partly eaten by white ants ,
wall panels stoned and broken by local children to its present
condition.
Mrs Kendell had 6 children Margaret Ellen the eldest born in 1933,
elder sibling to Joe, Beryl, Dick, Dorothy, and Allan .
The cottages began their life a a 3 room dwelling consisting of a
bedroom, kitchen and laundry wash house , accessible by walking
outside and around to the back door. It was very primitive , with a wood
stove in the kitchen for cooking and heating , a wood chip heater in the
bathroom for washing , electricity with a couple of power points and that
was it. Each room was approximately 3.6x3.6 .
The cottage was set back on the block to enable the future construction at a substantial house at the front , now occupied by the Orchard .
When Margaret and her now Husband Cyril greeted their first born Tommy in 1959 a small Verandah to the north of the cottage was enclosed to which served as a nursery , bedroom.
Margaret and Cyril and their youngster lived in the cottage welcoming another baby , Susan in 1964 adding to the Clan. It was around this time that Margaret became unwell again having suffered Polio as a child it returned with a vengeance as was very often the case in those times.
After a 3 year battle Margaret passed away in 1967 at the young age of 33. Cyril lived and worked on raising his two children with the assistance of his mother in law Mrs Kendell until she passed away in 1973 and Cyril 10 years after in 1983 , aged just 52 . Both Mrs Kendall her Husband Roy rest beside Margaret and Cyril who were buried together as was their request .
Margaret’s cottage and Garden have been restored , and replanted to remember her with plants she loved , in particular Freeziers Margaret adored Freeziers , although the strong fragrance that perfumed the air would test her resilience , a chronic hay fever sufferer , she loved them. Another favourite was Roses and violets
Margaret was a keen and skilled sewer , who mastered the art of needle point whilst confined during her illness. You will see some examples of Margarets needle point handiwork framed in the cottage .
Cyril was a Drover ,stockman , shearer who could barley write his name , but together they worked hard created a simple life , a home humble as it was and a garden that Margaret lovingly cultivated including , lemon, orange , mandarin trees and of course the good old favourite and hardy Geranium .
When their children acquired the cottage again after it having been owned by 3 or 4 owners it was derelict beyond repair as some locals suggested , however undaunted the restoration began, completed in June 2023. During the restoration a number of colours were discovered under the cladding and various coats of paint.
Of particular note was Margarets love of the colour Blue . Note the verandah posts now painted in that very same Duck Egg Blue that was uncovered during the restoration as a memory of Margaret
We hope you enjoy the the results of Margaret and Cyril’s children’s labour and their brief story .
Enjoy the comfort of the furnishings , the orchard garden , the Unique fire place built from old farming equipment as you end the day under the Southern Cross with a Warm Fires Glow .
Life was much simpler in the 50s 60s and 70s . Margaret’s Children believe the simplicity of Margarets cottage , garden and story should reflect . Enjoy your stay .
